Recommendations for where to settle down in the Boston suburbs (Newton: house, to buy)

[kepkennedy]

I see that this is a popular forum topic but I am looking for new opinions and ideas about where to look to buy a house (to settle down for the long term and raise a family) in the directions west or south of Boston.

We are relocating from NYC to Massachusetts in September 2011 and will be living at first in the South Shore-ish town of Hanson while we search for a house to buy. Our housing budget is $350k (max!). What we want is very predictable: a single family home (no less than 3br/2ba) with a yard (0.5 - 1.5 acre(s)), good schools, and a reasonable commute to Newton. Public education is probably our top priority but searches for well-performing schools have left us feeling discouraged because clearly we cannot afford to buy a house in any of the better school districts. I'm left wondering if what we want even exists?!

Thank you in advance for helpful input!

[CaseyB]

Well, you are NOT going to enjoy the commute from Hanson to Newton if you have to do it daily.

I'd look more in the southwest direction, Walpole area, possibly Millis.

Of course if you don't mind the turnpike tolls, you could look farther out in metrowest.

[gf2020]

With a budget of only $350K, the need to commute to Newton and a desire for good public schools, I would focus on towns like:

Shrewbury
Bellingham
Plainville

[kmann-sherborn]

Well, it's all relative. According the the Dept of Education Massachusetts has some of the best public schools in the country so though you may not be able to afford Newton or Wellesley, there are plenty of other communities to pick from where your children can get a good education.

I agree with Casey that south would be a good place to start. I'd start with Millis or Dedham. A bit west you could do Holliston - very nice town, award-winning schools, lots of parks & trails, cute town center, etc.

[proudestmonkey]

Definitely don't live on the south shore. I commuted to Newton from here for two years and it is not fun at all. Many people I worked with lived in Dedham and there seems to be a bit inventory under $350 or just above that you could probably get for $350 or less. Personally I wouldn't want to go too much farther from the city, but you might feel differently. Good luck!